LONDON — More than 400 flights were canceled Tuesday due to a technical issue in Britain’s air traffic control system, reported the flight monitoring website Flightradar24.
Britain’s National Air Traffic Services said a problem had been identified in its flight processing system and engineers were urgently working on the issue, which affected flights across the U.K.
In an update, it said it had “implemented a fix and our flight system is starting to recover.”
About 425 flights to and from U.K. airports, including Heathrow, were canceled, affecting services operated by multiple airlines including British Airways, EasyJet, KLM and Lufthansa.
The affected airports, which also included Stansted and City in London, as well as airports in Manchester, Birmingham and Scotland, said the technical issue caused disruptions. They warned passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.
Budget airline EasyJet said some of its flights were “unable to operate” and that the system failure caused “delays to flights across Europe.”
Some passengers took to social media to complain about being stuck on the tarmac for hours. Many expressed frustration about a lack of communication from airlines.
Heathrow’s website showed that many short-haul flights departing for European destinations had been canceled or delayed.
Arriving flights did not appear to be affected. It was not immediately clear what caused the technical problem.
UK airports are experiencing delays after a tech outageCredit: Alamy
What is happening right now at UK airports?
Airports across the UK are experiencing huge delays and cancellations with passengers reporting being stuck parked at gates due to Air Traffic Control outages.
It comes after NATS experienced a technical issue just after 1pm today according to multiple sources, halting departures at UK airports.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
NATS stated: “We have identified that the issue was in our flight processing system.
“Our engineers are on site and working urgently to resume normal operations as quickly as possible.
“We recognise the ongoing disruption to travel, for which we sincerely apologise.
“Flights are still departing and airspace is open, but recovery will take some time. We will provide further updates as soon as possible.
“Passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline. We will provide further updates as soon as we have confirmed information, at http://www.nats.aero and on X at @NATS.”
Are flights being affected?
Flights are being impacted across UK airports London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester.
More than 20 flights have been cancelled at London Heathrow AirportCredit: Alamy
More than 50 flights departing London Heathrow have already been cancelled.
Manchester Airport has advised passengers to “check the latest status of their flight with their airline” amid the turmoil caused by the air traffic control failure.
The airport said it would “Continue to monitor the situation and share further updates as more information becomes available.”
At Luton Airport a Ryanair flight to Dublin scheduled to leave at 4.10PM is now estimated to leave at 7PM.
And a Jet2 flight to Alicante scheduled to leave at 4.25PM, is now estimated to leave at 6PM.
What are my rights if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
Airlines have a duty of care they must offer passengers affected by delays or cancellations.
The Civil Aviation Authority states: “If your flight is delayed, and UK261 applies to it, your airline must look after you while you are delayed.
“This includes providing you with food and drink based on how long your delay is, and accommodation if you are delayed overnight.”
If your airline doesn’t provide these and you end up paying for food, a hotel or transport yourself, keep all receipts so you can claim back reasonable expenses later.
If your flight is cancelled, they must also offer a refund or an alternative flight, even with another airline.
If you accept a refund, they no longer need to offer you any additional forms of care, such as hotels or food vouchers.
Can I claim compensation?
Airlines are not required to offer any compensation if the situation is deemed “extraordinary circumstances”.
This can mean anything out of the airline’s control like extreme weather – or air traffic control failures.
As a result, the current NATS technical outage is classed as an “extraordinary circumstance”.
In the last major NATS outage in 2023, travellers did not receive compensation.
The Civil Aviation Authority revealed that around 700,000 passengers were impacted by the last outage.
This included 300,000 people by cancellations, 95,000 by delays of over three hours and a further 300,000 by shorter delays.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
ALL departing flights from UK airports including both Heathrow and Gatwick are majorly disrupted due to an “air traffic control failure”.
Thousands of passengers have been stranded across the country as flights are grounded.
Passengers have been stranded as all departing flights face major disruption including at HeathrowCredit: AlamyUK airports are in chaos as departing flights are disrupted or cancelledCredit: @flightradar24/ X
The country’s air traffic control service NATS has a “technical issue” causing widespread chaos for departing flights.
Planes arriving into airports are not impacted.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “The air traffic control service NATS is experiencing a technical issue which is affecting departing flights at UK airports.
“We are supporting our local NATS team in their efforts to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Major airports like Gatwick are included in those affectedCredit: AlamyPassengers have been warned to expect disruption (stock image)Credit: Getty
“We will provide updated information when we have it.
“We apologise to those disrupted and advise passengers to check with their airline for the latest flight information.
“This is affecting all UK airports, not just Heathrow and Gatwick.”
Fuming passengers told The Sun they’re stuck abroad because their flights are unable to leave over the issue in the UK, and have been warned they may have to get hotels for the night.
A National Air Traffic Services spokesperson said in a statement: “We are investigating a technical issue which is causing some disruption to flight departures.
“Our engineers are on site and we will provide an update as soon as we can.
“We apologise for the delay this will cause to journeys, passengers should check with their airline on the status of their flight.”
Are you affected? Email emily.davies@thesun.co.uk
It said in an update: “We have identified that the issue was in our flight processing system. Our engineers are on site and working urgently to resume normal operations as quickly as possible.
“We recognise the ongoing disruption to travel, for which we sincerely apologise. Flights are still departing and airspace is open, but recovery will take some time.
“We will provide further updates as soon as possible. Passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline.
“We will provide further updates as soon as we have confirmed information, at http://www.nats.aero and on X at @NATS.”
Airport management at Heathrow said all outgoing flights have been temporarily halted.
Belfast City Airport also warned of “some disruption” to flights.
Manchester Airport Group, the company that operates Manchester Airport, Stansted Airport in Essex and East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire, said flights from all three had been affected by the air traffic control issue.
It grounded 500flightsacross the UKand Brits were stuck for hours on a Bank Holiday.
The “one in 15 million” event led to thousands of flights being cancelled and delayed.
An investigation launched by NATS revealed that a flight plan errorresulted in the failure, which meant the air space was forced to close down – and only resumed 10 hours later.
In the aftermath, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said NATS could raise the amount it charges airlines by 25 per cent to ensure “safety and quality service”.
The fee increased from £47 to £64 per flight, an increase of 43p per passenger to £2.08 on average.
Sarah, from Manchester, said that people were left “confused and upset” by the chaos while at Lisbon Airport.
She told Sun Travel: “We arrived at the correct time for our 4.30pm flight to Heathrow but were then told our flight was four hours delayed.
“The queues are backing up at the BA check in desks with confused and upset people and crying babies.”
A spokesperson for Jersey Airport said: “UK air traffic control is currently experiencing issues which is impacting flights across the UK including services between Jersey and UK.
“Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information directly with their airline.”
Gatwick Airport added: “We are aware of a NATS technical issue that is currently affecting a number of UK airports, including London Gatwick.
“Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for more information regarding their flights.”
Disgruntled travellers have flocked to social media following the disruption.
One said: “Still stuck next in line on the runway at LHR. 90 minutes in.” Another said: “BA 742 back to engines off and waiting. Approaching 2 hour mark in 15 minutes.”
Another person posted on X: “We are currently sat on Alicante tarmac going to Manchester and this is affecting us. Not just London!”
A third said: “Luton airport too! We’re stranded on the actual plane.”
Four tips to help you claim back compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled
MORE than seven million of us are expected to fly to European holiday spots this summer.
As peak holiday season hits, some delays are unavoidable.
If you’re one of those whose flight is disrupted, knowing your rights will help you claim back compensation.
GROUNDED: If your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before you fly, you are entitled to a new flight or refund and possibly compensation.
This applies to flights departing from a UK or EU airport, regardless of airline, and to flights arriving at a UK or EU airport, if operated by a UK or EU airline. In other cases, you’ll probably be entitled to a refund or an alternative flight, but you may not get compensation.
LATE LEAVING: Again, for EU or UK flights or airlines, if your arrival is delayed by more than three hours, you’re usually entitled to compensation — unless the delay was caused by circumstances beyond the airline’s control, like severe weather or air traffic control strikes.
Email or phone the airline, providing flight details and booking references, as well as the length of the delay. The amount you’ll get depends on the delay length and journey distance.
MEAL MATHS: If a flight is delayed by at least two hours for short flights or three hours for medium-distance, or four hours for long-haul, the airline must provide free meals and refreshments.
If the delay means you have to stay overnight, the airline must provide hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and the hotel.
If it doesn’t provide these and you end up paying for food, a hotel or transport yourself, keep all receipts so you can claim back reasonable expenses later.
PAPER TRAIL: Airlines often dispute compensation, so arm yourself with clear evidence.
Take photos of delay announcements on departure boards, and gate changes.
Keep emails, text alerts and boarding passes.
You can claim for delays that happened up to six years ago.
Plans for the new part of the museum were first revealed 17 years ago with building works starting back in 2019.
The original targeted opening date was in 2014, however this was delayed due to planning permissions and funding issues.
Christine Wiberg-Lyng, Foundation Director, Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond said: “The new buildings create a sensory and inviting setting that supports the museum’s core purpose.”
In the Botanical Garden, you will find a living museum with 13,000 plant species, alpine rock gardens and walking trails.
A MUCH-LOVED ride has closed at Disneyland Paris ahead of a huge makeover.
Crush’s Coaster at Disney Adventure World is now closed until summer 2027 as it undergoes its biggest upgrade in 20 years.
Crush’s Coaster is closed for the next 10 months at Disneyland ParisCredit: AlamyThe ride is one of Disneyland Paris’ most popular, with even celebs such as Will Mellor (pictured) on itCredit: Alamy
The coaster, which takes riders through the East Australian Current, will have technical elements replaced as well as sections of the track.
In the second phase of the refurbishment, the coaster will be tested to ensure it functions properly before reopening.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Of course, the upgrade will refresh the ride’s show elements as well, such as repainting and repairs.
Crush’s Coaster was last closed in 2015 for six months but this project will be the biggest in the ride’s history.
Many people have taken to social media to express their excitement about the upgrade: “I’m happy about the refurb but I’ve booked for November. Massively underrated ride.”
Another person added: “Glad to see this happening.”
There are a number of other closures taking place at the theme park including Peter Pan’s flight, which is closed until September 19.
Pirate’s Beach is currently closed and will be until October 23 for a safety inspection as well as replacement of the ground padding.
The ride will be refurbished and reopen in summer 2027Credit: Alamy
Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups will be closed between September 21 and October 2 to repaint the floor.
La Tanière du Dragon will close on October 5 until the middle of the month for servicing.
Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for all UK nationals heading to Thailand
12:06, 08 Sep 2026Updated 12:14, 08 Sep 2026
Around a million Brits head to Thailand every year(Image: Thitikarn Paothongthai via Getty Images)
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel guidance for all UK nationals travelling to Thailand.
The south-east Asian country is enormously popular with Brits and other tourists alike, largely owing to its vibrant culture, cuisine, warm weather, and breath-taking beaches and islands. Approximately a million travellers make their way to Thailand from the UK each year. In a fresh new issued on Tuesday, September 8, the FCDO confirmed that a significant travel rule for Thailand is set to change.
The latest guidance refers to tighter restrictions on visa-free stays coming into force from September 15, 2026. This represents a departure from the previous rules, which allowed visa-free stays of up to 60 days for tourism, business engagements, and urgent work, with the option to extend for a further 30 days.
Those intending to work, study, retire, or settle in Thailand must obtain the relevant visa prior to travelling. If you entered Thailand before September 15, you will generally be permitted to remain for the duration granted upon arrival.
The updated guidance highlights that British nationals have been refused entry for failing to demonstrate sufficient funds or proof of return travel. Border authorities may request evidence of at least 10,000 Thai baht per person (or 20,000 Thai baht per family), as well as confirmation of onward travel.
The FCDO has also revised its safety guidance concerning Thailand’s rainy season. While the general timeframe remains May to October for the majority of the country, and November to March for Koh Samui and south-east Thailand, the updated advice notes that “weather patterns have become increasingly unpredictable and periods of intense rainfall can occur across Thailand.”
It continues: “Heavy rainfall can cause flash flooding, landslides and disruption to transport, particularly in northern, north-eastern and mountainous areas. Conditions can change rapidly and may result in road closures and local travel disruption. Lakes, caves and waterfalls are particularly at risk of dangerous flash flooding.”
Holidaymakers are urged to heed local authority guidance and keep a close eye on the Thai Meteorological Department for weather warnings.
FINDING a brilliant UK hotel that is stylish, comfortable and in a top location for under £100 can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Luckily, we’ve scoured Tripadvisor‘s UK hotel data to find incredible Brit hotels that are top-rated and budget-friendly.
Rooms at Mollie’s Motel in Bristol are sleek and scandi-themed – and you can stay from £68Credit: Mollie’s Motel
All of these UK hotels are winners of the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award, which puts them in the top 10 per cent of listings on the site based on real guests’ rankings and reviews.
Plus they all have a 4.5/5 rating or over, as well as an average nightly rate of below £100.
We found everything from forest hotels with roaming wild ponies to secret Scottish ‘gaming rooms’ with video-game cheat codes etched into the furniture.
From retro American-style motels to seaside escapes with cabaret entertainment, here are ten of Tripadvisor’s top-rated and affordable UK hotels.
Mollie’s Motel, Bristol
Mollie’s Bristol is an American-style ‘motel’ with a diner serving up burgers and shakesCredit: TripAdvisor
If you’re into all-American style diners and neon-lit motels, you’ll love a stay at Mollie’s.
Just off the M5 at Cribbs Causeway, this retro hotel is hard to miss, with its glowing red sign and zig-zag shaped exterior.
Inside you’ll find a classic diner, with shiny tiled floors, booth seating and a swanky bar, with plenty of stools to sit and sink back a bottled beer.
After chowing down on your burger, hot dog or steak (best washed down with a milkshake, of course) head upstairs to a modern room with scandi-style wooden decor, warm lights and crisp, white linen.
Each room comes with fancy rainfall showers, high-end Cowshed toiletries, fluffy towels, and Dyson hairdryers. You can even borrow some GHD straighteners from reception.
The hotel is rated 4.6/5 on Tripadvisor, with many praising how comfortable it is to stay in.
One reviewer even remarked: “If I could take the bed home with me, I’d be tempted!”
Hotel Indigo Dundee by IHG has themed rooms such as the Dundee Cake room and Comic RoomCredit: TripAdvisor
This swanky Scottish hotel is set inside a former 19th-century mill, but has been decorated with a modern twist.
Industrial touches like brick walls and iron columns still remain, but inside you’ll find modern, quirky themed rooms.
The Dundee Cake room is decorated with marmalade in mind, while the Comic Room has decorations inspired by “Black Bob” – a comic about a Scottish Border Collie.
Perhaps the coolest part is the Gaming Room, where there are books about Dundee’s rich video game history.
There are even secret GTA codes are hidden within its walls, a nod to the fact that popular game Grand Theft Auto was invented in the city.
This easyHotel is only 10 minutes from the centre of Oxford and its famous collegesCredit: Alamy
If you want to explore Oxford without entirely draining your bank account, easyHotel Oxford is a wallet-friendly budget, no-frills pick.
You won’t find fancy hotel bars or luxurious extras here. Instead, it offers exactly what it says on the tin: a clean, practical, and easy place to crash after a day of sightseeing.
The hotel offers clean and comfortable double and twin rooms, but if you want the absolute cheapest rate possible, you can opt for a windowless room.
That way you can secure a room from as little as £26 a night during off-peak times.
When you’re ready to explore Oxford, there’s a bus stop right outside the hotel that will whisk you straight into the city centre and the university colleges in around 10 minutes.
You can currently book a room from £31.50 per night on the easyHotel website.
The Telegraph Hotel, Coventry
The historic Telegraph Hotel is the top-ranked hotel in Coventry on TripadvisorCredit: TripAdvisor
The Telegraph Hotel is the #1 ranked hotel in Coventry on Tripadvisor, with a score of 4.5/5 stars.
Once the home of the Coventry Evening Telegraph paper, this building now serves as a stylish hotel, with plenty of nods to its journalistic past.
Inside you’ll find a glamorous, marble-floored lobby with emerald green plush sofas and warm golden chandeliers.
You may spot typewriters, old newspapers, pigeonholes, photos of the original 1960’s newsroom dotted around inside.
Rooms are spacious and on-theme with black and white artwork and those same emerald-coloured chairs.
The Melbreak Hotel looks out over Melbreal fell in the Lake DistrictCredit: TripAdvisor
Named after the Lake District’s Melbreak fell which you can see from the property, this family-run hotel offers a friendly base right on the border of the rugged Western Lake District and Cumbrian coast.
Rooms come with big comfy beds, traditional wooden furnishings, and plenty of space to unpack after a long day of hiking.
They come with all the essentials like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathrooms. Many of the executive rooms offer gorgeous, sweeping views over the surrounding countryside.
After spending the day exploring the nearby peaks, head to the hotel‘s conservatory restaurant for generous portions of hearty pub classics.
For a relaxed drink, the cosy lounge bar is the perfect spot to sink into a leather chair with a pint of local Cumbrian ale.
Plus stunning spots like Ennerdale Water, Bassenthwaite Lake, and the market town of Cockermouth are all less than a 20-minute drive away.
The Templestowe Hotel has spectacular evening entertainment each night such as cabaretCredit: TripAdvisor
The Templestowe Hotel in Torquay delivers big on old school seaside town charm – plus it has a whopping 4.7/5 stars on Tripadvisor.
The excellent evening entertainment includes a massive ballroom and dance floor, plus a stage where you’ll find nightly acts such as cabaret, singers, dancers and comedians.
When it comes to food and drink, forget tiny tasting menus – this hotel is all about generous portions of classic British meals.
You can expect hearty multi-course dinners featuring roast meats, pies, and comforting puddings – plus a traditional cooked breakfast each morning to set you up for the day.
One Tripadvisor reviewer commented: “The entertainment was very good every night”, and that there is “a free bar from 19.00 – 23.00” where “there was never a long queue & you just had to return your empty glasses to get another drink & show your room card”.
Another said: “Great atmosphere. Entertainment was at a very high standard. Great content. A great hotel for the more mature people.”
You can book a stay from £93 per night on Booking.com.
Woodlands Lodge Hotel
The Woodlands Lodge Hotel is a peaceful pick with gardens leading out into the New ForestCredit: TripAdvisor
This country house hotel is tucked into Hampshire’s New Forest, where you’ll find endless pretty woodland walks and might even bump into a few of the forest’s 5,000 free-roaming wild ponies.
Originally built as a royal hunting lodge in the 1750s, this woodland retreat makes for the ideal countryside escape to return to to take off your muddy boots and laze back by the log fire.
There are 17 bedrooms here, including options with grand four-poster beds and dog-friendly options.
For food and drink you can tuck into some tender lamb or a juicy steak, or sit down to a delicious, homemade afternoon tea with a view of the hotel gardens.
With an impressive 4.5/5 star rating on Tripadvisor, one guest commented “it was a pleasant surprise to find such an idyllic little country house tucked away within the cattle grids and Forest”.
Another said “Our room was lovely. A walk across the back lawn through a gate takes you into the forest where we experienced several horses galloping together, into the shade of the trees.”
You can book a room from £80 per night on Booking.com.
The Crown Hotel Boroughbridge
The Crown Hotel in Boroughbridge is close to Lightwater Valley theme park and has an underground leisure clubCredit: Alamy
Once a historic 16th-century coaching inn, The Crown Hotel in Boroughbridge is full of historic charm.
This cosy Yorkshire hotel has low oak beams, roaring fires and comfy rooms with tartan furnishings.
But the best thing about this hotel is the on-site leisure club, where you’ll find a heated indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, sauna and gym to unwind in.
Once you’re suitably relaxed, head to the hotel’s traditional bar and restaurant where you can tuck into pub classics like fish and chips, washed down with a pint of local Black Sheep ale.
The hotel sits on the doorstep of the spectacular North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales. Plus you’re also just a 20-minute drive from Harrogate, the cathedral city of Ripon, and the family-friendly rides at Lightwater Valley.
Super 8 by Wyndham Chester East is a popular American brand of motel that has hit the UKCredit: TripAdvisor
If you’re looking for a cheap and convenient pitstop that feels significantly cooler than your average roadside hotel, the Super 8 by Wyndham is a top pick.
This is an American budget brand’s first foray into the UK, which arrived at the Chester motorway services in 2023.
But forget the dingy US motel stereotype – this place feels slick, modern and boasts fancy rooms that punch high above their price tag.
Rooms have sleek wooden finishes, mustard yellow details and cityscape artwork that reflects the brand’s American roots.
You also get brilliant tech upgrades that you wouldn’t typically expect from a motorway stay, including large smart TVs, ultra-fast free Wi-Fi, and plenty of USB ports.
The en-suite bathrooms are spotless and feature large walk-in power showers to wake you up before you hit the road again.
But this hotel isn’t just a pit-stop for road-trippers. It’s a 10-minute drive from shopping at Cheshire Oaks, plus Chester Zoo and Chester city are easily accessible from here for a day out.
Rooms are available from £38 per night on Expedia.
Cedar Court Huddersfield Hotel
Cedar Court Huddersfield Hotel is the ideal base for exploring the Peak DistrictCredit: TripAdvisor
This hotel in the village of Ainley Top in Huddersfield is in the prime position for exploring the Peaks (only 20 minutes’ drive), plus you can easily nip into Halifax to visit the Piece Hall or the interactive Eureka! children’s museum.
The hotel has a bright, modern and airy feel, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows which let the sunlight pour through and look out to well-manicured gardens.
There are 113 rooms here, which have recently been refurbished with sapphire blue, brick and wood decor.
When you’ve spent the day stomping across the Peak District, you won’t want fussy fine dining. Thankfully, here you’ll find familiar favourites like pizzas, chicken and chips plus that all-important buffet breakfast.
And for when you need to unwind, there’s an underground health club complete with a fully equipped gym, sauna, and steam room.
AROUND 25 EUROSTAR journeys to and from two popular cities have been cancelled tomorrow due to a nationwide strike.
Industrial action across the Netherlands means there will be no public transport in destinations like Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Eurostar has been forced to stop routes to Amsterdam and Rotterdam tomorrowCredit: GettyA nationwide strike is taking place with no public transport servicesCredit: Getty
Tomorrow there will be no services on trains, buses, trams or metros across theNetherlands – including Eurostar services.
The strike is being held by the country’s largest trade union for staff who operate public transport with the walkouts scheduled for 2am on Wednesday and 2am on Thursday.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
According to next Wednesday’s Eurostar schedule there are usually five direct services to Amsterdam from St Pancras each day and nine indirect routes with Eurostar.
As for return trains there are usually five direct routes and six indirect back to London.
When it comes to Rotterdam there are usually five direct services and eight indirect routes scheduled mid-week.
Returning to London are five direct routes and six indirect.
But none of these will be running tomorrow due to the strike action.
Due to the early hours of the strike ending, services on Thursday morning could be affected too with several Eurostar journeys in showing as ‘Not available’.
On its website, Eurostar said: “No national or international trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on that day.
“There will also be some disruption on the evening of Tuesday September 8 and the morning of Thursday September 10.”
Amsterdam has 14 routes from St Pancras with EurostarCredit: Getty
It continued: “If you’re due to travel with Eurostar, you can check whether your journey is affected by the strike on our live train info page.”
“We’ve also contacted all affected passengers whose contact details we have.
“If you have a connecting journey, please get in touch with the relevant train company for more information.
“We know how important your travel plans are and we’re sorry for the disruption this strike will cause.”
The operator added that if your Eurostar train is no longer running, you can either change your booking for free, cancel your booking and get an e-voucher or cancel your booking and get a full refund.
In Amsterdam, metros, trams, buses and ferry services will all be suspended.
In Rotterdam, the metros, trams, buses will be suspended as well, and in The Hague, trams and buses will not be running.
A Eurostar spokesperson told Sun Travel: “Following the national public transport strike on Wednesday 9 September 2026 from 2AM until the 10th of September at 2AM in the Netherlands, no Eurostar trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on Wednesday.
“Affected passengers have been notified and can obtain a reimbursement or change their tickets free of charge. We apologise for the inconvenience.
“Trains on the other Eurostar routes are running normally.”
SAN DIEGO — As dusk approached San Diego’s seaside enclave of Ocean Beach, its Sunset Cliffs bustled on a recent Friday evening.
Two engaged couples posed for wedding photos in between joggers, dog walkers and sightseers who clamored around Osprey Street to enjoy the day’s majestic sunset.
It was a deceptively idyllic setting for what authorities say is continued lawbreaking and peril, which authorities just can’t seem to quash.
Share via
The lawbreakers were gathered this day on a cliff and a nearby arch, a crowd of around 50 young people — 14- to 20-year-olds, mostly males. Buoyed by a youthful sense of invincibility, they dared one another to leap, waiting for another to move, like emperor penguin chicks before a first arctic plunge.
After a few minutes, there was a dive off the arch, followed by a cannonball from the next person, a backflip from a third and then other more spectacular and daring stunts from the flock.
No one was injured that day, but that hasn’t always been the case.
People jump into the water at Sunset Cliffs. San Diego officials urge visitors to avoid jumping, but that doesn’t stop tourists and thrill-seekers.
At least three individuals were rescued after suffering injuries this summer at Sunset Cliffs, leading police to ramp up enforcement as locals debate the need for safety versus the merits of youthful rites of passage.
California dreaming
Back home in Iowa, Marcus English said he’d probably be hosting bonfires or hitting up local pools in mid- to late August. Instead, the 17-year-old was at the cliffs enjoying his last few days off before beginning his senior year of high school.
“There are some places to jump, some lakes in Iowa,” he said, “but nothing like this.”
English wangled a stop during a weeklong family trip to California that included national park visits to stop by Sunset Cliffs, which he saw on social media.
The vistas and cool breezes represented quintessential California to the Midwesterner, equal parts “what I saw on Instagram and a movie.”
English spread out his arms, squatted and then leaped before taking a roughly 15-foot plunge from the arch into the shallow waters. He jumped multiple times on consecutive days.
“It’s just so freeing,” he said of his leaps. “There’s nothing like it.”
‘Hopefully I can walk again’
Jumping happens at several places throughout the cliffs.
The most common launch point is from the arch, with drops ranging from 15 to 20 feet depending on the water level, said a San Diego Police Department spokesperson.
The more exotic and dangerous plunges happen from the adjacent cliffs, with youngsters jumping from 20 to 40 feet, and some as much as 50 feet.
What makes the latter leap more treacherous is a rock ledge that juts out about 10 to 15 feet from the cliffs. Jumpers have little room to run and gain momentum (unlike at the arch) and must clear that formation before hitting the water.
This summer’s safety debate reached a fever pitch in late July. A 17-year-old jumper, according to social media footage, struck the ledge with his backside and crashed into the water.
For his part, the unnamed 17-year-old said in a since-deleted social media post that he suffered six fractured vertebrae and a badly bruised tailbone and needed nine stitches in his foot. The Times could not independently reach him.
Spectators watch people jump into the water from the arch at Sunset Cliffs.
“For everyone who wants to tell me I’m an idiot for doing that, trust me, I’m aware,” he said. “Hopefully I can walk again, but I’m just trying to take it slow.”
Sunset Cliffs have attracted visitors and tragedies
Injuries and deaths from jumping at the cliffs date to the 19th century, San Diego Reader noted earlier this year.
A schoolboy named Waldham slipped off the cliffs after a scrum with friends and broke his arm in 1881. One of the earliest deaths came in 1926, when a 3-year-old wandered from his home on Narragansett Avenue and fell to his demise.
Police and lifeguards were unsure as to the most recent jumping fatality, with one official pointing to the 2019 death of 15-year-old Anthony Womack, a National City resident.
Brook Hjelm, the mother of 23-year-old Brian Wilson, who died swimming at Sunset Cliffs in 2015, told the local CBS station she would like to see photos of those who had died posted along with danger signs in the area. “Put signs up of our young men and women that we lost,” Hjelm said. “Let them see the face of something that associates them with what truly is at stake.”
Tracking the action
Attention surrounding Sunset Cliffs injuries ebbs and flows much like the current, according to Frank Gormlie, a longtime San Diego County resident who tracked incidents more than a decade ago.
Gormlie, the founder and editor of Ocean Beach’s online newspaper, OB Rag, scoured media archives and spoke with residents.
“It had gotten so bad that I wanted to chronicle what was going on,” Gormlie said.
His research documented 11 deaths and dozens of injuries during that time span. Those statistics came from jumps, along with vehicular, climbing and health incidents.
Some incidents had little to do with jumping, such a surfer smashing into the rocks. But a 43-year-old woman slipped and fell to her death in 2015, while two jumpers needed crane-assisted rescues after suffering serious injuries, according to Gormlie.
The Sunset Cliffs siren’s song
“People have been visiting the Sunset Cliffs for years because it has a beauty that shocks,” Gormlie said. “But I think social media has found its way to the next generation of adventure seekers who don’t know about the dangers.”
The Sunset Cliffs area is Instagram-ready, and social media has drawn some visitors looking to brave the leap.
Gormlie said swimming and diving are local rites of passage. He noted that Ocean Beach residents commonly “shoot the OB pier” — surfing under that the town’s pier — a risky stunt that Gormlie did as an 18-year-old before shipping off for college.
Gormlie jumped from the cliffs in 2014, shortly after turning 65.
He wrote about his experience through an anonymous post, saying he “did it for all those guys and women my age who drive by every day and secretly wish they could jump off too.”
All rescues involved San Diego Fire-Rescue Department lifeguards and personnel. The department shares jurisdiction of Sunset Cliffs with the San Diego Police Department and rangers with the city Department of Parks and Recreation, said Candace Hadley, Fire-Rescue public information officer.
Hadley wanted to remind potential jumpers that the act of leaping from the cliffs violates a San Diego municipal code and could result in fines of $100 or more. Frequent fliers could be smacked with $1,000 fines.
“Cliff jumping isn’t just illegal in San Diego, it’s extremely dangerous,” Hadley said. “One misstep could lead to a life-altering injury or worse.”
Her office tends to offer education on the dangers of jumping, she said, while San Diego police dealout penalties.
The problem of jumpers at Sunset Cliffs has been part of achallenging summer for the lifeguards, who have made 5,480 rescues across the 17 miles of San Diego coastline they patrol from June 1 to Sept. 1. Extreme heat has driven more people to the beach, and high surf fueled by Pacific tropical storms has added to the dangers.
The rescues have mostly been of swimmers not properly judging the strong currents. In a normal year, Hadley said, the lifeguards make about 7,500 to 8,000 rescues.
Sgt. Saum Poorsaleh, San Diego police public information officer, said his department had issued more than 50 citations at Sunset Cliffs and dispensed about 350 warnings, written and oral, since mid-June.
But he said the department is short-handed, and increasing enforcement permanently is not feasible.
“There are warning signs all over the cliffs noting the dangers, but people still jump,” Poorsaleh said. “Mix in social media — which is drawing in tourists from all over the country — and a young person’s feeling of invincibility and there’s a chance for trouble.”
Visitors have been jumping at the Ocean Beach location for decades. One local said he jumped after turning 65, calling it “irresistible.”
San Diego City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, who represents Ocean Beach, recently issued a statement reminding visitors “to prioritize safety and not jump from the cliffs.”
“The cliffs can be unpredictable,” she said, “and changing tides, strong currents, rough surf, and hidden rocks can quickly create life-threatening conditions.”
A longtime local tradition
Lyne Miller has lived all her life in Ocean Beach, where saltwater runs in locals’ veins and it’s not uncommon to see residents toting surfboard as they ride a bike or golf cart to the beach.
From a young age, Miller, 80, said she promised her mom that she “would never jump.”
Miller says the number of teens arriving at the beach, likely driven by social media, “is more than ever.”
But she acknowledged that locals had been jumping at Sunset Cliffs since at least the 1950s in surf-centric Ocean Beach.
“This is a playground for those who love the water, who love the ocean,” she said. “I hope if there’s a crackdown on jumping, it’s not harsh.
“I don’t necessarily feel negative about the jumpers,” she added. “I just wish they would be smarter and jump from safer spots at better times.”
George Lucas and Mellody Hobson want their massive spaceship of a museum to be an experience. Across 300,000 square feet and 11 acres of park space, there’s a lot to take in. Staring up at the 90-foot-diameter oculus four stories above the entrance plaza makes one feel like a speck in the galaxy.
Instead of trying to conquer everything on a first visit — there are more than 1,300 works — hit our highlights below. If you aim to walk around the striking building to view a mishmash of masterpieces, children’s illustrations, movie memorabilia that’s heavy on “Star Wars” and comic strips, you’ll have a good time. If you’re hoping to learn about what’s on display or how adjacent pieces relate, curb your enthusiasm. It’s almost as if the museum is making a statement: you don’t need some analysis to connect with the works. If you complain about the collection, the co-founders don’t care. “Is it fine art? It’s finer art because it’s actually telling a story,” Lucas said at a museum party last week.
The 90-foot-diameter oculus provides unique viewing from the fourth-floor gallery.
(Ariana Drehsler / For The Times)
The gee-whiz elevators at the entrance of the museum.
(Ariana Drehsler / For The Times)
Whoosh up in the glass-tube elevators to the massive fourth floor to begin. Best to explore the bulk of the galleries when your gas tank is full. Then head up a floor to see the murals. Take a break at the rooftop Skywalker Grill before ambling to the library and grounds. Skip the first floor’s “History of Narrative Art.” The exhibition is mostly screens, projections and reproductions, with a handful of great works from the 16th and 17th centuries and feels superficial at times. If you care about whether something is an original or a copy, check the gallery labels. Hungry for more detail? There’s a $30 exhibition catalog in the gift shop.
Prepare to get your steps in and feel a little turned around once it opens Sept. 22. Admission is $25 for adults, free for kids.
1.Palm Canyon Drive.(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)2.A metal sculpture of a serpent by artist Richard Breceda.(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
This lonely San Diego County desert town, about 50 miles from the nearest Starbucks, deserves the attention of anyone who really wants peace and quiet. It’s home to perhaps 4,000 year-round residents, star-struck by night, startling at dawn, surrounded by the largest state park in California, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Dark skies, aimless days and spring wildflowers draw many people. But fall visitors can hike the park’s Borrego Palm Canyon Trail (3 miles round trip) or the narrow canyon known as The Slot. Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep and dozens of metal artworks by sculptor Ricardo Breceda scattered around town, especially the 350-foot-long sea serpent (along Borrego Springs Road), which has become a community mascot.
Check out: The town’s biggest party of the year, Borrego Days, is coming Oct. 17-18. And its seasonal Farmers Market returns to Christmas Circle Community Park on Nov. 6.
Distance: A 4-hour drive from L.A. (154 miles from L.A. City Hall, via Google Maps).
A woman was left gobsmacked when she was taken for a ‘full body search’ at the airport after she set off the security scanners twice with her hand luggage. She was dumbfounded by the reason
She was left gobsmacked by what happened at airport security (Stock Image)(Image: Getty Images)
Airport security is stressful enough without triggering a major alert. Between removing your belt and wrestling electronics out of your bag, it’s easy to feel flustered.
But one woman is warning travellers to avoid a simple pre-flight habit that got her pulled aside by security not once, but twice. George, a lawyer who posts on TikTok as @awomancalledgeorge, was travelling with just a carry-on when she became the subject of a “double security alert.”
After her bag was pulled from the scanner, she was surrounded by security staff. She explained: “The scanner seemed to have picked up traces of something that could be dangerous.” The subsequent swabs of her hands and bag also came back positive.
“It’s a double problem,” she said. “When you know you haven’t got anything, you still feel guilty. I’m a lawyer, and I was standing there thinking I know I haven’t done anything wrong, but you still feel guilty.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
The alert led to a full-body search, and security staff had to unpack and swab every single item in her bag.
George shared that she’d “never seen anything like it” when her “hand luggage bag got pulled,” and people appeared and were talking “really seriously” to her.
She recalled having to go off and have a “full body search” and they “had to unpack every single thing” in her bag. Staff “swabbed most of it”, before letting her go.
What caused the drama at airport security?
It turns out that what had set it off was “hand cream and body lotion”. George had a shower before heading to the airport and slathered herself in the really nice creams.
But she urged others to take the “life lesson” from her and not do the same thing. She explained: “It turns out the glycerin in hand cream and body lotion can trigger the security systems.
“Who knew? I certainly didn’t know. Having gone through that, I shaln’t be doing that again”.
What are swabs at the airport checking for?
Security swabs primarily test for trace chemical residues associated with explosives.
Staff wipe a small area of a passenger’s hands, bag, shoes, or electronics, and analyse the sample for microscopic particles. Because these chemicals can transfer from harmless everyday sources – like lotions, soaps, or certain fertilizers – a positive swab doesn’t automatically mean you’ve handled anything illegal.
Less commonly, depending on the country and situation, swabs can also be used to detect drug residue or other prohibited substances.
After two of his children fell ill on an all-inclusive Jet2 trip to Turkey, Blake Chapman decided to abandon the holiday and fly home – but says he was left £10,000 out of pocket
Blake Chapman with Keeton (left) and Tobias (right)(Image: Kennedy News and Media)
A furious dad says he was left £2,000 out of pocket after a holiday nightmare – despite having paid for travel insurance. Blake Chapman flew out with his 29-year-old partner Abbey Andrews and their three children Keeton, 11, Tobias, 3, and Vienna 1, on August 6. They had paid for 10-day £8,000 all-inclusive Jet2 holiday in the Turkish resort of Alanya.
But the family’s holiday started to go wrong just two days after they landed in Turkey, when Blake and Abbey’s youngest child, Vienna, fell ill with symptoms of severe food poisoning. “It started happening with my one-year-old two days in,” Blake said. “She was completely fine then it got to about 11:15pm and she started projectile vomiting, really bad diarrhoea, temperature.
“Because we were in a different country we panicked. I ran down to reception, they told me that they’d call an ambulance. They got to the hospital, they put an IV drip in Vienna.”
Soon after arriving at the hospital, Blake was presented with a £2,000 bill. “I argued it because I said that we’ve got insurance and I paid for the higher insurance,” he said. “In the end I just paid it.”
But things went from bad to worse when the couple’s three-year-old son Tobias began to show the same symptoms.
Blake said: “The following day around 1.00pm we all got out of the pool just about to get some dinner and it happened to my three-year-old Tobias. We kind of knew what to expect this time. Tobias was being sick in the hospital.”
Faced with the prospect of a second massive bill, Blake refused hospital treatment for Tobias and consulted a pharmacist instead.
Meanwhile, although Blake had been given an explanation for Vienna’s symptoms, he didn’t entirely believe it. He continued: ”We got the doctor’s report and they put it down to dehydration but I’m like a helicopter dad, I took the kids all over the world, we’ve never had a problem.
“When Vienna went to hospital she had a blood test and they said she’s got high white blood cells so that indicated an infection. I don’t believe it is dehydration because I’m not going to sit with a one-year-old in the beaming sun.”
With two of his children seriously unwell, Blake made the decision to abandon the holiday: “My plan was ‘let’s get out of here, let’s fly home’,” he says.
Blake says he tried to get hold of the Jet2 rep without success, so he called the company direct. Despite being told that his insurance claims could potentially take months to process, Blake and Abbey decided to leave the hotel before anyone else fell ill, spending another £950 on flights, arriving back in the UK on August 11.
“It’s put me off all-inclusives,” Blake says. “I would never go to Turkey again in my life from this experience.
He stressed that he wasn’t holding anyone responsible, but was frustrated by the slow process of his insurance claim. ”I’m not blaming the hotel, I’m not blaming the hospital for us being ill but it was how we were left in the dark,” he said.
“It’s very frustrating, very emotional. What I want to do is spread awareness because people think if you go all inclusive with the full travel insurance too then you’ll be OK if anything happens – but we were asked to pay thousands.”
A spokesperson for Jet2holidays said: “We were very sorry to hear that members of the Chapman family became unwell during their holiday. Our in-resort team made attempts to contact the family to offer support, but they had already departed before we were able to speak to them.
“Our teams on the ground work tirelessly to support customers throughout their holidays, and we remain committed to providing help whenever it is needed.”
AN airport that was closed for almost three days after a volcanic eruption has finally reopened.
But hundreds of thousands of passengers are scrambling to get home with flights still being delayed or cancelled.
As many as eight airports were forced to close over the weekend – but have since reopenedCredit: EPAAn eruption on Anak Krakatau caused major disruption to flights in IndonesiaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
On Monday, Indonesia’s Transport Ministry reported on Monday that as many as 270,000 travellers were stranded with their flights “cancelled, delayed, or diverted” – including those at Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International Airport which has since reopened.
Now it’s believed as many as 370,000 passengers are said to have been affected by the disruption across the last three days, with 3,000 flights cancelled.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
It started on Friday when there was an eruption on Anak Krakatau.
An ash cloud drifted into the city of Jakarta and the Lampung province, halting flights at its airports with seven being forced to close.
The biggest airport to close was Jakarta’s Soekarno Hatta International which grounded flights from Sunday until early this morning.
The current FCDO advice reads: “Soekarno Hatta Airport and Halim Airport in Jakarta were temporarily closed due to the volcanic ash clouds from Mount Anak Krakatau on 5 September.
“Both airports have reopened, but there are continued flight disruptions and many flights are cancelled or delayed.”
For anyone due to travel, it advises to check with your airline or travel provider for up to date information on your flight status.
On Flightradar24, Soekarno Hatta Airport has had 9 per cent of its flights cancelled today with 20 per cent delayed.
Lots of travellers were told they wouldn’t be able to fly for a few more days, including a newlywed couple on a honeymoon in Bali.
Flight continue to be delayed or cancelled in the aftermath of the eruptionCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Talking to Bernama, they asked: “What are we going to do here for another five days? We only prepared enough money for our honeymoon and [were supposed] to go home yesterday.
They continued: “We thought we would just sleep at the airport for a few hours and then take the morning flight home [on Monday]. We never thought we would end up being stuck here for days.”
Yesterday, another passenger told AFP how they had not heard any updates from the airline and were seeking out hotels only to find most of them have been fully booked.
Airlines like Qantas are offering anyone who booked to go to or from Jakarta before September 5 the chance for a free refund on travel up to September 11.
But its services are resuming as scheduled from today.
Indonesia’s Geological Agency has warned however that “the probability of further eruptions in the coming periods remains high”.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
It’s not too late to soak up the sun and book a last-minute getaway, with a stunning European country offering 28C weather in September and beaches that compare to the Maldives
The European country offers stretches of unspoilt white sand beaches and azure waters(Image: Getty Images)
A beautiful European destination is emerging as a new holiday hotspot, with balmy temperatures in September. It’s even been hailed as a cheap alternative to the Maldives, thanks to its azure waters and sugar-white sand beaches.
If you’re looking for a September escape at a budget price and without the crowds, Albania should be top of your list. Data from TripAdvisor revealed that Albania saw a 60% increase in interest during the first half of the year, emerging as a fast-rising destination in Europe. And it’s particularly beautiful in September, with sun-soaked rays of up to 28C and an unspoilt collection of beaches.
Albania’s coastline stretches along both the Adriatic and Ionian seas, with some of its stunning shores found along the Albanian Riviera in the south, offering crystal-clear turquoise waters and unspoilt white sand. They’ve been celebrated among the finest in Europe, with the Ksamil Islands a standout.
Dhërmi and Jale Beach are another exceptional spot for sun-seekers looking to bask on the beach, complete with lively beach parties and buzzing bars. But it’s not just the southern coast that impresses; the northern shores provide a more peaceful alternative, with pristine beaches tucked away amongst bays and hidden coves.
Aside from its beaches, there’s plenty to explore in Albania, including its vibrant capital, Tiranë (Tirana), where visitors can ride the Dajti Ekspres cable car for breathtaking views, or admire its unique architecture, vibrant street art and sprawling green parks. There are also its famed underground bunkers, Bunk’Art 1 and Bunk’Art 2, which are now history and art museums, as well as nearby walking trails through the dramatic scenery of the Albanian Alps.
And that’s not all. Albania remains one of Europe’s most budget-friendly destinations, with a three-star hotel stay in the walkable city of Tiranë costing just £41.72 per night, research from Hoppa revealed. Meanwhile, a draft beer in the city can cost just £2.41, and a meal can start from a mere £7.27. What’s more, flights in September start from just £15 one-way, according to Skyscanner.
The European country has even been recommended by the professionals, as Adam Hodge, who has worked as Wizz Air cabin crew for eight years, said it starkly resembles the Maldives. “Albania has similarities to the Maldives, especially with its beachy vibes, lovely sun loungers, and its aquamarine waters,” he previously told the Mirror. “If you want to do a city break, it’s brilliant, or if you want to do a beach getaway along the coast, and towards the top, you have the European destination alternative to the Maldives.”
Adam added: “Albania is definitely one of my favourite destinations, and I’d say that it’s one to watch out for. Plus, it’s good to try somewhere lesser-known. It’s got everything which is great, and it’s very good value for money. Some of the destinations we fly to are not using the euro currency, so actually you do get a little bit more value for money with the destinations out of the euro currency as well, when it comes to eating out, drinks and destination activity trips.”
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
Holidaymakers heading abroad are being urged to check an important easyJet rule before boarding the plane
Think twice before boarding your easyJet flight(Image: Getty Images)
For many travellers, there are a few items that automatically make it into a suitcase before a holiday begins. But one increasingly common gadget comes with restrictions that could catch passengers out if they arrive at the airport with too many.
The warning is particularly relevant to anyone who likes to carry several charging accessories when travelling. EasyJet has issued a reminder to customers that there is a maximum number they can take with them, alongside rules about where the items must be packed and how they can be used during a flight.
Power banks are the accessory in question, with easyJet allowing a maximum of two per passenger. The airline says they must be carried in cabin baggage only and should ideally be kept somewhere they can be easily monitored.
There is another important restriction once passengers are on board, as easyJet says power banks cannot be charged or used to charge other devices during the flight. Its guidance also says power banks must be individually protected, such as by keeping them in their original packaging or a plastic bag.
The rules are part of wider aviation safety measures around lithium batteries, which can pose a fire risk if they are damaged or develop a fault. The UK Civil Aviation Authority says power banks must be carried in carry-on baggage, individually protected when not in use and must not be recharged during a flight.
It also says power banks should not be used to charge other portable electronic devices while on board. Guidance confirms that a maximum of two power banks can be carried per person, although batteries with higher capacities can be subject to additional airline approval requirements.
For easyJet passengers, that means checking the number of chargers in your cabin bag before heading to the airport. Anyone carrying three power banks would be over the airline’s stated limit, even if each individual device would otherwise meet the relevant requirements.
Passengers should also avoid putting them into checked luggage, as easyJet specifically prohibits power banks from being carried in the hold. The airline recommends keeping them somewhere they can be monitored, which means they should remain accessible during the journey rather than being buried inside a suitcase.
The CAA’s advice is similarly clear that spare lithium batteries and power banks belong in the cabin rather than checked baggage.
The reason for keeping them close to passengers is that a battery problem can be identified and dealt with more quickly in the cabin.
Once upon a time, in the woods outside Pola de Somiedo, lived a family of Cantabrian brown bears. The villagers reported sightings of a mother bear who had lost a leg to a hunter’s trap, her two cubs and two adult males, either of which might have been the father. In those days, at the end of the 1980s, they seemed to be the last of their kind in this part of Asturias. Meanwhile, the wider population dropped to about 60 bears across the surrounding Cantabrian mountain range that gave the species its name.
They have since clawed their way back from the edge of extinction here in northern Spain, and nature guide Luis Frechilla believes their numbers may now be upwards of 500 again. “They’re still classed as endangered,” he tells me, until the official count hits 1,000. But relative abundance makes them much easier to see today in Somiedo natural park – one of Spain’s first such protected areas, established in 1988.
Somiedo natural park. Photograph: Biosphoto/Alamy
Setting his scope on a tripod in a steep-angled pasture, Frechilla spots a bear almost as soon as we start looking. A juvenile, apparently, which means the animal is old enough to be foraging alone, but it’s still too small, and too far away, for him to tell if it’s a male or female. Another bear-spotter standing near us seems more willing to take a guess.
“Ooh, look at his little ears,” she says delightedly, beaming behind binoculars. No expert myself, I watch that distant fuzzy shape move across the viewfinder and along the sharp ridges opposite, blinking in and out of sight like a cursor on the trend line of a graph. I’m not sure that we are close enough to call this an encounter, but it is an experience.
The sun drops behind the peaks; the birds sing a dusk chorus in the birches and oaks; cowbells ring through the valley from the dairy herds that help this region of so-called “Green Spain” look and sound like the Swiss Alps. It gets cold at night up here, and it’s been known to snow in summer, though my own visit in late spring sees the mountaintops looking whiter than anyone around here can remember so deep into May.
That weather, and the sheer calorific spend of living and working at a median altitude of 1,300 metres, has made the traditional cuisine much sturdier here than elsewhere in Spain.
Down at the village inn, Casa Miño, we share a bottle of regional cider and a cachopo (beef fillet topped with serrano ham, peppers and goat cheese, and pounded into a single solid unit the size of a solar panel). I want fabada,too, the famous Asturian stew of white beans, pork belly and blood sausage. Frechilla says it’s a winter dish, customarily eaten for lunch – too heavy for the body to process later in the day. But I would order fabadaat midnight in a heatwave, and keep eating it even while they loaded me into the ambulance.
The Lake of the Valley. Photograph: Manu Garcia/Alamy
The bears, meanwhile, don’t have much to feed on at the moment. They only woke from hibernation a few weeks ago, explains Alicia Madrid the next day, on a forest trail above the century-old hydroelectric power station at La Malva. A biologist with the conservation group Fundación Oso Pardo, Madrid tells me that Cantabrian bears don’t hibernate as long or deeply as other brown bears and are generally smaller and lighter than American grizzlies.
“They’re adapted to this terrain, and they can’t be too heavy because they have to climb a lot,” she says. Their paw prints in the mud look big enough to me, and the bite marks where they chewed clumps of long grasses, and the hairs shed where they scratched their backs against trees. Madrid shows us, too, the hefty rocks they overturned looking for insects. Further into the summer, there’ll be plenty of berries, acorns, chestnuts and maybe some meaty carrion to fatten them up.
The foundation has played a major role in the regrowth of bear populations, building bio-corridors with strategic placements of trees and bushes full of all the things they like to eat. Another key factor is the hunting ban, introduced in 1973. The trick now, says Madrid, is coaxing isolated cohorts to breed with other groups and boost genetic diversity.
Also: managing the tourists who come to see them, and balancing ecological imperatives against financial incentives. Later, after a long hike through the Valley of the Lake to reach the aptly named Lake of the Valley, I overhear Frechilla fielding the related concerns of two local women. Against a backdrop of blue sky, bright wildflowers and silver waters, the women seem to argue that conservation efforts amount to commercial exploitation. Frechilla gently insists that Somiedo natural park is a model of good practice in Spain. Much of the bears’ territory is closed to the public, and spotting expeditions are only permitted in the company of licensed guides. Nature tourism, he says, keeps villagers in jobs where farming culture cannot, and is proving vastly more sustainable than hunting bears for sport. As for protecting humans, there has been only one bear attack in recent memory, on an elderly lady whose evening stroll led her between a mother and cubs. She survived.
For now, at least, most residents seem willing to share the bears with outsiders. That evening, a small crowd gather by the side of a winding back road near Saliencia, some sitting comfortably on camping chairs with spotting scopes in their hands. Everyone is watching a large male bear – so big and so close that they don’t need the viewing equipment – as he lopes across a meadow to take a quick splash in the river. Another male is spotted in the treeline above, and the two circle each other at a distance for a while. There is some speculation that they might fight for this turf, and a man with two leashed greyhounds seems ready to take bets on it. Frechilla shakes his head.
“Maybe later in the season, when they’ve gained enough weight.”
A bear in Somiedo natural park. Photograph: Lucas Vallecillos/Alamy
These bears are doing better now, but it’s still a tough life. The reality of their ongoing baby boom is that only 30% of juveniles will survive on their own, after a year of maternal supervision. This is surely why I find it so moving when we follow reports of another sighting in the twilight: a mother and her two young cubs have been seen climbing a slope called El Diente, or “The Tooth”.
It’s getting dark and cold, but we can see them through the scopes, about a mile away from us across the high mountain pass at La Peral. I watch the mother bear waiting and cajoling as needed while the siblings struggle up the vertical planes of rock like toddlers trying to climb a baby gate. On the ridgeline, they turn to silhouettes, play-fighting against a white sky.
They disappear over the far side, but then a little one comes back, seeming to wave goodbye with both front paws in the air. I remember a story I read to my daughter once, which put a poignant time limit on the usual fairytale ending: “And they all lived happily together, for as long as they could.”
AN ICONIC English pleasure pier has been forced to close while “essential works” take place this month.
The seaside structure shut today but is expected to reopen soon.
Weymouth Pleasure Pier in Dorset is closing while essential repairs take placeCredit: Dorset Council
Weymouth Pleasure Pier will be closed for two weeks while essential surfacing repairs are carried out.
A refurbishment of the beach access steps is also set to take place during this period, while the new handrails will be finished off too.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Dorset Council has said that the beach access will be open in time for the town’s annual Ironman event, which will take place on Sunday, September 20.
News of the closure was shared via the council’s Facebook page in a post that read: “A reminder that the Weymouth Pleasure Pier will be closed for two weeks from Monday 7 September while surfacing works are completed along the wall.”
It continued: “The beach access steps at the end of the wall will also be closed during this period to enable refurbishment works and completion of the new handrails.
“The beach access steps will be reopened ahead of the Ironman event taking place in Weymouth.
The council thanked residents for their “understanding and cooperation” while the essential works are carried out.
Weymouth Pleasure Pier was previously closed for seven weeks between June and July for more “essential maintenance”.
The site was shut down over the summer months to replace failing harbour walls and safeguard the seafront for the future.
The repairs are part of a wider plan in place to address longstanding deterioration in the seafront defences around the peninsula.
Other problem areas including corrosion and voids behind existing harbour walls, and small sinkholes near footpaths also cropped up in investigations.
Previous repair work to the structures was last completed in 1970, meaning they were no longer viable for withstanding pressure from rising sea levels and more frequent storm surges.
Work has been carried out to strengthen the existing structures to ensure they can serve their purpose for decades to come.
BRITS are facing huge queues and delayed trains after an operational issue has caused problems at the border.
Le Shuttle – previously called Eurotunnel Le Shuttle – has warned passengers not to arrive early in Folkestone for their train.
Passengers are being forced to wait hours for their trains due to ongoing Le Shuttle issuesCredit: PA
This is due to huge ongoing delays.
In a statement, they said: “Due to an operational issue, you may experience longer waiting times than usual.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
“Please do not arrive more than two hours before your booked departure.”
The website warns of departure delays of approximately four hours from Folkestone to Calais, while the return Calais to Folkestone has delays of three hours.
However on the website, a 11:24am departure from Folkestone to Calais has now been scheduled for 4:45pm, with this having a knock on effect for the rest of the departures today.
The latest update on the website is for the 3:24pm departure which will now leave at 6:45pm.
A Calais to Folkestone train scheduled for 4:36pm is now set to depart at 7:51pm.
According to local media, one traveller said their train was delayed by 3.5 hours.
Another wrote on social media: “I am on my way to the terminal for a train at 8:24.
“You are running 4.5h late! How can I cancel my trip and get a full refund?”
A third said there were “hundreds of delayed people waiting to board”.
It isn’t clear what has caused the issue or when it will be fixed.
AFTER more than a decade, a huge new museum which is more like the ultimate attraction for Star Wars and Indiana Jones fans is set to open.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, created by filmmaker George Lucas, is set to open on September 22 in Los Angeles, America.
George Lucas has created a new museum in Los AngelesCredit: GettyThe museum – which looks more like a spaceship – will open on September 22Credit: Getty
Inside the new 28,000sqm museum, visitors will be able to explore items that Lucas has collected over the past five decades, including art, costumes, movie props and memorabilia.
In fact, the museum will be home to more than 1,300 objects in 30 galleries across five floors.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Of course, there will be plenty for Star Wars fans in the museum including sculptures of Yoda and Grogu as well as vehicles from the films.
Visitors can head to two cinematic theatres as well.
Away from Lucas’ own creations, there will be art by Frida Kahlo as well as rare comics by Frank Miller and Cowboy Bebop anime.
There are some early sketches by Van Gogh and Picasso too
And Banksy has contributed artwork to the museum as well.
Visitors will also be able to catch an insight into Lucas’ early life too, with his student films on show.
Inside visitors will be able to see Star Wars propsCredit: ReutersAs well as work by famous artists like BanksyCredit: GettyThe museum has taken more than 16 years to buildCredit: AFP
The museum itself also looks like a spaceship, with curved white walls.
Outside the museum, there are large green open spaces, with more than 200 trees and a waterfall-like fountain.
If you get hungry, there’s the Skywalker Grill as well, offering all-day dining including seafood, grilled dishes, pasta and desserts.
The museum will be open from 10am to 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 9pm on Fridays, 9am to 9pm on Saturdays, 9am to 5pm on Sundays and is closed on Tuesdays.
Adult tickets cost $25 (£18.50) per person and children’s tickets (up to 17-years-old) are free.
THERE is nothing worse than a delayed or cancelled flight – and one airline is now making passengers pay extra if they want help quicker.
Wizz Air has launched a new add-on called ‘Disruption Assistance’, which it claims is ‘added protection’.
Wizz Air has introduced a new service called ‘Disruption Assistance’Credit: Alamy
According to the airline, passengers will “get extra support if your flight is disrupted on the day of travel”.
The new add-on means that travellers will get notifications for disruptions over two hours, for any reason including severe weather, issues at airports or even strikes.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Another part of the add-on is that you will get rebooked quickly when time matters, even if this means needing to travel with another airline.
You will also be able to request a full refund if the alternatives offered to you don’t work.
The final part of the add-on is that you will get “access [to] easy self-service tools or speak to an agent”.
You can add Disruption Assistance during the booking process or in Manage My Booking on the airline’s website or app.
In addition, if your flight is impacted on your day of travel, you will be sent an email to the Disruption Portal where you will be able to rebook via one of the options given or offered a refund.
According to EX-YU Aviation, the add-on costs between €9.90 (£8.51) and €14.90 (£12.80) per person.
Passengers will pay for the add-on which will prioritise booking them onto a new flight if theirs is delayed or cancelled by more than two hoursCredit: Getty
Legally, the airline must rebook you under EU/UK Regulation 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than five hours.
Airlines will usually try to rebook you on their own airline’s next available flight.
However, if they are unable to get you to your destination on the same day or next day, they must legally book you onto a rival airline and reimburse you.
Essentially, the Disruption Assistance add-on means you don’t have to battle with the airline’s customer service for a new flight or refund.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
